A special conference to explore peace-building efforts in northern Uganda will be held at Johnson County Community College Saturday, Nov. 1.

The Center for Global Peace Journalism at Park University together with the JCCC Foundation, KU School of Nursing, Medical Missions Foundation, Overland Park Rotary Club, Rockhurst University/Research College of Nursing and the United Nations Association of Greater Kansas City are co-sponsoring this one-day conference, which will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The event will be held at the Hudson Auditorium and the Regnier Center and admission is free. The conference titled “Culture of Forgiveness: Peace-building Lessons from Uganda” will explore local peace building initiatives in northern Uganda.

Steve Youngblood, assistant professor and director of the Center for Global Peace Journalism, said the event has evolved from a smaller event that was held last year and also from a group of nurses who visit Uganda from JCCC annually.

“This is an examination of the ways that peace building can manifest itself,” he said. Park students will also be participating in the event. “I am really excited that Park’s students are participating,” Youngblood said.

“The three Park students that we picked out are really outstanding students I think with a very interesting and unique grasp of peace building and I am really looking forward to hearing their presentations.”

Student and participant Doreen Nakagiri said she is looking forward to the event.

“I am excited to share my views about Peace building in Uganda and what it actually means to the citizens,” she said.

Youngblood will give his presentation at 9:30 a.m. entitled “Peace and Reconciliation Journalism: Do You Forgive Joseph Kony?” followed with a break at 10:30 a.m. Lunch is a 12:15 p.m. and Park’s “Students Making Peace” presentation will start at 2:15 p.m.

For full details and registration information go to www.jccc.edu/peacebuilding.